I think of him as Hirohito's "kid!"

He hasn't been a "kid" for a while

to reassure them.

They seem like everyone's kind grandmother and grandfather and the emperor is still a very important symbol/representation of the family that is Japan.

I chanced upon a group of about 15 people waiting along his scheduled route, and decided to stay and show him my respects. There was a man there who was handing out Japanese flags, so I took one. When the Emperor's motorcade (which was surprisingly small) passed by, we all waved our flags. His wife was sitting on the side of the car closer to us, and she waved to us with her trademark white-gloved hand, but we did not get much of a glimpse of the Emperor himself.

The first time I was in Japan back in 1987 as an exchange student, a group of us Jewish students went to Kobe for Rosh Hashannah, I think it was.

It was Showa 62 and Emperor Hirohito was sick. I remember we did a prayer in hebrew for his health.

Long, long time ago.

These days my religious practices are pretty much just Shinto ceremonies with the occasional Buddhist houji. It has taught me that the Emperor is still a very real and vital existence and is far different in the minds of the people than England's tarnished royals.